Is this legal?

[amol]

I bought a couple of tickets back in December and January for air travel now and I brought 2 bags to the airport. The agent charged me $25 for my 2nd bag (which was too big to carry onboard), the first time I ever heard of any such charge from Delta. I was going on a round-trip and I had to bring the bag back, so I ended up paying $50.

However, I just went online and it seems that they put this in place back in March and put it in effect May 1. Isn't it illegal for them to charge me, since I bought my ticket before March? Or can they retroactively charge me?

 

[RagingBITCH]

Um, most airlines I know of charge for overweight or oversized luggage. (Over 50lbs, or with overly large dimensions)

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Um, most airlines I know of charge for overweight or oversized luggage. (Over 50lbs, or with overly large dimensions)

It wasn't overweight or oversized. It was just too big to be a carry-on. It was only 35lbs, too. They charged me for bringing a 2nd bag. Up until just recently, having 2 check-in bags was free.

 

[A5]

No. They reserve the right to add more fees at any time. Some airlines are charging for having any checked bags now, so be glad Delta isn't to that point yet...

 

[xSauronx]

a couple of tickets? you mean 2 one way tickets or some such?

i overpacked when i brought my kids home last year and pitched some diapers to make weight on the luggage

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

no, most likely you are covered by the original carriage contract in place at the time of your ticket purchase.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24761262&GT1=43001

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: xSauronx
a couple of tickets? you mean 2 one way tickets or some such?

i overpacked when i brought my kids home last year and pitched some diapers to make weight on the luggage

One in December to go home and come back to school for break (this is the trip I had to pay $50 for).

One in January to go visit my friend in Boston in a couple of weeks (I buy early in order to get cheap fares).


And there was nothing I could chuck. I didn't have a carry-on except for my laptop computer bag and that couldn't carry anything except my computer.

(And yes, I know that you can bring a carry-on and a personal item, but it gets heavy dragging that stuff through such a big airport, like ATL).

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Yes it is. I bought my tickets from Orbitz back in April to take a flight in June. They sent me a letter stating that Delta and Northwest Airlines will now charge $25 per additional bag instead of allowing 2 bags before the extra charges for any flight after May 5.

Its not about your bag being oversized. Used to airlines allowed 2 bags + 1 carryon. That's how it was in December. Now those airlines only allow 1 bag + 1 carryon. Anything else will be charged as extra baggage.

EDIT: Copy of e-mail:

Dear XXXX,

This is an update from OrbitzTLC to let you know that Northwest Airlines Delta as well. plans to begin charging most passengers a $25 fee each time a second bag is checked.

The new fee, which affects travel on and after May 5, 2008, applies to coach-class passengers traveling within North America on Northwest and Northwest Airlink flights (including Mesaba, Pinnacle and Compass Airlines). The $25 fee is applied each way.

The fee does not affect travelers with Silver, Gold or Platinum WorldPerks elite status or SkyTeam elite status, passengers booked in full-fare classes (Y or B), or passengers booked in first class.

Fees for a third checked bag and for overweight bags also have increased. For more details, please visit NWA.com.

Thanks for traveling with Orbitz.

Sincerely,

The OrbitzTLC Team

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Yes it is. I bought my tickets from Orbitz back in April to take a flight in June. They sent me a letter stating that Delta and Northwest Airlines will now charge $25 per additional bag instead of allowing 2 bags before the extra charges for any flight after May 3.

Its not about your bag being oversized. Used to airlines allowed 2 bags + 1 carryon. That's how it was in December. Now those airlines only allow 1 bag + 1 carryon. Anything else will be charged as extra baggage.

Right, but it was announced in March that it would be effective for all flights starting in May. I bought my tickets before that announcement.

 

[MrBond]

Yep, Delta charged it to previously purchased tickets even though the policy went into effect in early May.

This won't help you since you already flew, but since they charged it retroactively, it entitles you to a full refund:

http://consumerist.com/tag/con...elers-to-a-full-refund

American is charging for the first bag now and I imagine the rest of the carriers will follow suit soon enough. With the cost of fuel, I wouldn't be surprised to see carry-on limitations next.

Edit: You should seriously consider getting a carry-on bag. Flying is already horrible (and will probably only get worse) but if you don't have to wait on checked luggage it makes the whole experience better. It's a little annoying with all the restrictions on liquids and whatnot, but carry-on only is seriously the best way to fly.

 

[child of wonder]

The airlines need that extra money because they're all bankrupt and going out of business! Just today I passed by a United VP begging for spare change.

Good thing the government gives them billions of dollars or those poor VPs would starve!

 

[CPA]

Illegal? god I swear some of you wish this country was the the second coming of the USSR.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: CPA
Illegal? god I swear some of you wish this country was the the second coming of the USSR.

You disagree because you are a terrorist.

 

[drinkmorejava]

I flew NWA on May 9th and wasn't charged for an extra bag. I thought I specifically remembered that if you purchased the ticket before the policy went into affect you wouldn?t be charged.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Perfectly legal. Pretty much the status quo these days.

 

[bctbct]

I saw that some airlines are beginning to charge for any checked luggage. Next they will offer discounts for taking a dump within 2 hours of flying...

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: CPA
Illegal? god I swear some of you wish this country was the the second coming of the USSR.

You disagree because you are a terrorist.

debit terrorism
credit patriotism

 

[moshquerade]

up next is charging for ONE bag of luggage. it's already a reality for American Airlines. (effective June 15)

 

[spunkz]

haha we charge for one at Spirit. hasn't helped the lines but it keeps the fares down!

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: MrBond
American is charging for the first bag now.

Not until June15. Right now, they dont. The first bag is free. The second is $25.
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForwa...e/baggageAllowance.jsp

 

[AnnonUSA]

American announced charges now for all bags. 1st Bag=$15 2nd=$25. All airlines are sure to follow.....

 

[biggestmuff]

OMG. OP, you're such an ignoramus. Why don't you attempt to recover fuel costs, too. I mean, the fuel prices have increased since you bought the tickets, right?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Um, most airlines I know of charge for overweight or oversized luggage. (Over 50lbs, or with overly large dimensions)

Many airlines have gone to allowing only 1 free checked bag now even on international flights.

You have to pay for each additional bag.

Sucks, but it's due to the gas..it's a way of not having to raise ticket prices for everyone.

That said most people carry on way too much baggage anyway. Everytime I have been on an overnight or two day business trip, I bring just a carry on. Someone in the group will have three bags with them of just way too much shit. On the flip side, I have seen a handful of times where their bags don't make it until the day we are leaving.

 

[Linflas]

Read your contract of carriage you entered into with Delta when you purchased the ticket.

Item 8 from that contract:

This ticket is good for carriage for one year from date of issue, except as otherwise provided in this ticket, in carrier's tariffs, conditions of carriage, or related regulations. The fare for carriage hereunder is subject to change prior to commencement of carriage. Carrier may refuse transportation if the applicable fare has not been paid.

 

[Chryso]

You should definitely call the cops.